Public Statements

Statement

Minnesota Congressman John Kline, a 25-year veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps whose son has served three tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, issued the following statement today after the House passed bipartisan legislation that reverses the Pentagon's decision to cancel Tuition Assistance already promised to our troops. The legislation also keeps the government open through the end of the fiscal year:

"Most Minnesotans agree Washington has a spending problem,and the legislation passed today is a necessary step toward trying to provide some form of economic certainty for America's small businesses and working families. Included in this bill was a provision I strongly supported that will reverse the Pentagon's misguided decision to cancel Tuition Assistance for more than 200,000 of America's soldiers.

"In my home state of Minnesota which I proudly serve, active duty, reserve, and members of the Minnesota National Guard's "Red Bulls' rely on Tuition Assistance to help them complete their degrees and better equip them for the future. The decision by the administration to abruptly terminate this program not only breaks faith with our nation's heroes and their families, but it could negatively impact morale amongst service members in Minnesota as well."